Our Blacksmith Experience Days take place in the museum's rebuilt Victorian forge, and are lead by our experienced blacksmiths. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the blacksmith and make your own simple hand forged object to take home. You will be shown how the forge works and will use an anvil, in what will be an extremely enjoyable yet physical experience. No previous experience is necessary. Participants must be aged 18 or over. 

In this experience day you will learn the ancient craft of willow weaving and sculpting and will craft your own creation. The session is led by experienced tutor and willow weaver Gina Martin. The course is very hands-on and is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.

Using dried willow, Gina will demonstrate the basic techniques you will need to create your own sculpture. This is a ‘hands on’ course and you will go home with your own willow dragonfly and a small obelisk. For those more adventurous souls and if time permits the obelisk can grow into your own design, be it an animal, fruit or abstract piece.

You will be supplied with information about the different types of willow, where to obtain your materials and how to store it should you wish to develop your weaving skills further at home.

Gina Martin studied at the Royal College of Art gaining an MA in Sculpture and she has been leading workshops for all ages and abilities for over 25 years.

Included in the experience day

• Tuition from our experienced course leader
• All materials

There will be an hour break for lunch, please bring your own food and drink or you can purchase them from our on-site catering.

Please Note: We kindly ask that you provide a pair of secateurs and a small screwdriver. This is to ensure that you do not share tools with other participants. 

Length of workshop: 10.30am – 4pm
Minimum age: 12 years +
Number of participants: 10

Join "Craftperson in Residence" David Willis for this 3 hour session where you will learn about the woodlands at the museum, the safe and effective use of sharp tools, and craft a wooden utensil.

David is a teacher of Bushcraft and Wilderness Living Skills. He can often be found baking bread and rustling up tasty meals over a campfire, whittling spoons, foraging for edibles, walking in the woods and soaking up everything nature has to offer. 

David served with the Royal Engineers in Belize, spent time living alongside the Maasai in the Rift Valley and learning from the Bushman of the Kalahari, motorcycled around Europe, built and paddled his canoe along British rivers, and loves heading out on adventures. 

David now loves teaching adults and children, sharing the skills needed to enjoy living life and having fun outdoors!

Course content:

• Woodland walk to learn about the trees and harvest a branch of wood for carving projects
• Learn safe and effective wood carving techniques using the knives and saws provided
• Whittle a utensil(s) from wood sourced in the museums woodland to take home

Workshop Details

Timings: 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Maximum number of participants: 4 people
Location: Arborfield Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Minimum age of participant: 18 years
Cost: £60 per person

Go back to the Bronze Age and make your own axe head

Come and learn how our ancestors made tools and weapons in bronze. We will safely instruct you how to create your own axe head in solid bronze. You will have the choice of three styles, including the axe-head used by 'Otzi'. After watching a demonstration by cast-master Jonathan Cope, we will help you create your own sand mould ready for casting. Our furnace will then be fired to heat - 1,000 degrees! to melt the bronze. Whilst waiting you will learn more about the Bronze Age and handle some replicas. Jonathan will then pour the liquid bronze into the prepared moulds. Each participant will then break their bronze axes out of the moulds and quench to cool in water - lots of steam! After admiring your creation (photo -op) you can start work cleaning and polishing with provided tools and PPE - final finish is down to how much effort you put in. Your axe can be decorated, by you, with metal stamps if you wish. Welcome to the Bronze Age!

Workshop Details

Timings: 10.30am until 3pm
Maximum number of participants: 14 people
Location: Northolt Barn at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Age range: Ages 10-14 with an accompanying adult and solo participants aged 14+
Cost: £85 per person